What is the difference between Amlexanox and BAM15?

Amlexanox: Amlexanox is a non-peptide small-molecule 2-amino-chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid derivative (CAS 68302-57-8, MW 298.29 g/mol). Originally approved in 1996 as a topical oral paste for aphtho... BAM15: BAM15 is a synthetic small-molecule mitochondrial uncoupler (protonophore) — not a peptide — studied preclinically for obesity and metabolic disease as a potentially safer alternative to DNP. It has n...

What does the research say about Amlexanox vs BAM15?

Amlexanox: In diet-induced obese and ob/ob mice, amlexanox treatment increased energy expenditure via thermogenesis, produced weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased hepatic steatosis; these metabolic benefits require intact FGF21 signaling. In LDL-receptor-knockout mice on Western diet, amlexanox reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, circulati… BAM15: In diet-induced obese mice, BAM15 reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity without changing food intake or lean mass (Nature Communications 2020); other mouse work shows benefit in diabetes, and in sepsis/acute kidney injury. Rodent PK is ~67% oral bioavailability with a ~1.7 h half-life; there is no human PK, safety, or dosing data. Not a…

Amlexanox vs BAM15

Q: Can you stack Amlexanox and BAM15?

Amlexanox (metabolic) and BAM15 (metabolic) are in the same category and may have overlapping mechanisms — researchers should review both profiles carefully before combining. Consult a licensed provider before combining any compounds.

Head-to-head comparison of Amlexanox and BAM15 — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.

Amlexanox

Amlexanox is a non-peptide small-molecule 2-amino-chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid derivative (CAS 68302-57-8, MW 298.29 g/mol). Originally approved in 1996 as a topical oral paste for aphthous ulcers (FDA, now discontinued) and in Japan for allergic conditions, it was later characterized as a selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of the non-canonical IκB kinases TBK1 and IKKε. It is NOT approved for any metabolic, obesity, or performance indication; it is sold by research-chemical vendors labeled research-use-only and promoted off-label by biohacking outlets for fat loss. No validated human dose exists for metabolic applications.

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BAM15

BAM15 is a synthetic small-molecule mitochondrial uncoupler (protonophore) — not a peptide — studied preclinically for obesity and metabolic disease as a potentially safer alternative to DNP. It has never been tested in humans, has no regulatory approval, and was added to the WADA Prohibited List as an AMPK activator. It is sold as a gray-market research chemical.

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Amlexanox

BAM15

Category

Metabolic

Legal Status

Research Only

Mechanism

Two distinct mechanisms are documented. For its approved aphthous-ulcer indication, in vitro studies show amlexanox inhibits formation and release of inflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes) from mast cells, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells, though the FDA label states the mechanism of ulcer healing is unknown. In preclinical metabolic research, amlexanox was identified as a selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of the non-canonical IκB kinases TBK1 and IKKε, which suppresses chronic low-grade inflammatory signaling implicated in obesity-linked insulin resistance.

BAM15 increases proton permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane, letting protons leak back into the matrix independent of ATP synthase — dissipating the proton-motive force and uncoupling electron transport from ATP synthesis, which raises substrate oxidation and heat production. Unlike DNP/FCCP it does not depolarize the plasma membrane at fully-uncoupling doses and is less cytotoxic than FCCP; downstream it activates AMPK (Kenwood et al., 2014). All data are cell/animal.

Side Effects

Rash (occurred in several participants in the 2017 metabolic trial; two required biopsy)
One serious adverse event (non-ST-elevation MI) occurred in a placebo-treated subject in the 2017 trial, not attributed to drug
No validated long-term safety data for metabolic/obesity use

Where Researchers Are Buying

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COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower

Amlexanox

Best $/mg

$0.026/mg

Kimera ChemsC

1 trusted vendor listing

Compare all 1 vendor

BAM15

Best $/mg

$0.020/mg

Kimera ChemsC

1 trusted vendor listing

Compare all 1 vendor

Lab Verification

COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.

Amlexanox

COAs

99.6%

Avg purity

Labs

Full testing data

BAM15

COAs

99.1%

Avg purity

Labs

Full testing data

Amlexanox Research Summary

In diet-induced obese and ob/ob mice, amlexanox treatment increased energy expenditure via thermogenesis, produced weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased hepatic steatosis; these metabolic benefits require intact FGF21 signaling. In LDL-receptor-knockout mice on Western diet, amlexanox reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, circulating monocytes/eosinophils, macrophage plaque accumulation, and atherosclerotic lesion size. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial in 42 obese patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD showed statistically significant HbA1c and fructosamine reductions versus placebo, with a responder subgroup showing improved insulin sensitivity and reduced hepatic fat; rash occurred in several participants (two required biopsy). No obesity or diabetes indication has been approved by any regulator.

Key references

BAM15 Research Summary

In diet-induced obese mice, BAM15 reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity without changing food intake or lean mass (Nature Communications 2020); other mouse work shows benefit in diabetes, and in sepsis/acute kidney injury. Rodent PK is ~67% oral bioavailability with a ~1.7 h half-life; there is no human PK, safety, or dosing data. Not approved; not a peptide.

Key references

Identification of a novel mitochondrial uncoupler that does not depolarize the plasma membrane (Kenwood et al., Mol Metab) (2014)

Can you stack Amlexanox and BAM15?

Amlexanox and BAM15 are both in the Metabolic category and may have overlapping mechanisms. Researchers should review both profiles carefully, understand the mechanisms of action, and monitor the relevant biomarkers when combining compounds in the same class. As always, consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining research compounds.

Other comparisons

BAM15 vs MOTS-c Amlexanox vs MOTS-c AOD-9604 vs BAM15 Amlexanox vs AOD-9604 5-Amino-1MQ vs BAM15 5-Amino-1MQ vs Amlexanox BAM15 vs NAD+Amlexanox vs NAD+

This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.